Table Dependent on another Table?

[JoeyB_99]

I am using Access 2007, and have inherited a database from a co-worker that is no longer with our company. This particular database works fine, and has for quite awhile now.

I was reviewing and analyzing all the tables and decided to find out the Object Dependencies for each one.

Much to my surprise I discovered that Table A shows that the objects that depend on it are a bunch of queries, and Table B!

When I click on object dependencies for Table B I find out that the converse is true! How is that possible?
I have checked the primary key/foreign key for each table and these are fine, and have no effect here.
Neither table uses Lok-up as the data type!
Can someone please help me to trouble-shoot this and/or explain what is going on?

 

[jdraw]

Neither table uses Lok-up as the data type!

That's the way you want it - No Lookups at the table level.
see http://access.mvps.org/access/lookupfields.htm

Queries will be dependent on Tables. Queries that involve TableA and TableB will show a dependency on both.

What do you have in your Relationships window? You may wish to post a jpg of that window.

What is it exactly that you wish to trouble shoot?
What documentation do you have? What experience with database and Access do ou have?

 

[boblarson]

The datatype isn't going to show lookup, but the Display property under the lookup tab, when the field is selected while the table is in design view, will have something other than Text Box in it (combo box or list box) if it is using a lookup.

 

[JoeyB_99]

Thanks jdraw for your response, and interest.

There are no tables in the Relationship window! This user did not practice the linking up of tables in this window. He did link up tables when he had to in the creation of a query.

So, how can a table be 'directly' dependent on another table? I do not understand how that is possible, such as in my situation. I have never seen that occur when I open the Object Dependencies on the databases that I have created.

And as for your suggestion boblarson, I checked the Display Control under the Lookup tab for each field in Tables A and B. All of these show "Text Box". Thank you for your help. Any other suggestions?

 

[boblarson]

It may be that the tables are dependent upon one another due to being used together in queries. I don't use the dependency info much at all so I am not sure. I can't think of any other thing unless they are used in a form, subform situation and or have their SubDatasheet name property set in the table properties (right click on the description area where there is nothing typed and select properties).

 

[jdraw]

What exactly is your concern with the Object dependency info? As Bob said 2 tables could be dependent because of query set up, or Form/Subform or subdatasheet. But your first post indicated

Can someone please help me to trouble-shoot this and/or explain what is going on?

, and I don't think there is anything out of the ordinary. We don't spend a lot of time looking at object dependencies quite honestly.

If you have queries that don't work; procedures that give strange results; or unintended error messages, then we can try to help. But I don't see anything in what you're finding as alarming or catastrophic.

Do you have documentation on your database? You might want to start documenting things as you find them. Who uses the system? If only you, then document what you need. If there are multiple users, then a functional help system, and some technical type guide(s) are likely required.

I wouldn't focus on the object dependencies...

Do your tables and fields have meaningful descriptions????